Improvement in breast and neck straps for harness



Kw 0 E SN NR H H N "5 R M flK c Y.E N RD RN u A M u 3 MB No.172l045.

Patented. Jan. 11, 18576.

nnrrnnsrkrns MICHAEL D. MURRAY AND STEPHEN G. HUTUHINSON, OF JOHNSTOWN,

PATENT' OFFICE.

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOES OF ONE-THIRD THEIR RIGHT TO JOHN C.

HUTOHINSON, 0F SAME PLAOE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREAST AND NECK STRAPS FOR HARNESS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 72,045, dated January 11, 1876; application filed April 6, 1875.

the throat of the horse, at the proper distance apart.

In connection with the above bow, stiffened as described, we also use an extra-stifl'ened neck-strap, having its under side, or the surface, in contact with the neck, convex, and yet transversely conformable to the neck, by having its interior construction of such a form as to admit of holding the suspendingstraps out from the neck.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct the same, we will proceed to describe it, as follows:

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A, Figure 1, is a front elevation of the neckstrap, and portions of the forward suspending-straps b b. Fig. 2 is a section of the neck-strap A taken in the line mm, Fig. 1,

' showing the various layers of stiff sole-leather,

each of which is thick longitudinally through the middle, and tapered down thin at each edge. Fig. 3 isa front elevation of the connecting-bow O, which is connected to the straps b I). Said bow supports the neck-yoke in the usual manner.

The neck-strap A is composed, first, of a soft and very flexible piece of leather, (1, which serves as a wrapper, the side edges of which are brought together over the stiff piece 6, inclosing the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The top stiff pieces f and g, are also thick in the middle, and'are also tapered at the ing is k, which incloses the piece t'from view. 7

It will be seen by this form of construction of the'neck-strap, greater elasticity and ease are secured than have heretofore been accomplished, as well as tending to hold the forward suspending-straps, to a certain degree, away from the neck.

The stiffened bow O is attached to the lower ends of the forward suspending-straps b b by means of buckles l, as shown in Fig. 3. Said buckles are attached, by means of clasps n a, to theflattened ends M of the steel how 0. This bow is incased in a leather covering, 0, said covering 0 being provided with loops 1) to receive the straps b b secured to the neck-strap A. the double purpose of securing additional strength to the bow C, and, at the same time, prevent the buckle from wearing? the leather, were the same not metal-lined. The clasps n n are passed over the tongue and binge of the buckle l, andthen' riveted to the steel core G, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3. The steel core 0 at all times firmly holds I the forward suspending-straps b b clear from the throat of the horse, thereby preventing the tendency to choke when descending a downgrade, which could not be accomplished withouta stiff metallic corein saidbow O. The neckstrap Ais, as will be observed, convex on its under side, or that surface which touches the neck, which prevents the galling or chafing tendenc'y of almore flat surface. The steel bow 0 may be formed of wire, flattening at each end, as shown at M, Fig. 3, to receive the clasps n n, or it may be made oval or even flat throughout its entire length, having its ends inclined obliquely to the plane of the bend or curve of the bow O, in order to keep the suspending-straps b b in a position to nicely fit the shoulders and neck of the horse, as will be observed by reference to Fig. 3. p

Having thus described our invention, what The clasps n n serve we claim as new, and desire to secure by Let the suspending-straps b b, clasps n n, and ters Patent, is buckles l l, for the purposes set forth. 1. The neck-piece A formed of the soft piece MICHAEL D MURRAY of leather d stiif and convex-shaped pieces 6 f g i, in coinbination with the suspending- STEPHEN HUTGHINSON' straps b b, as set forth. Witnesses:

2. In combination with the neck-piece A, as JAMES H. PIKE, described, the metallic how 0, provided with J. W. LATGHER. 

